Voicing tab capture system



Aug. 8, 1967 .1. c. KIEFER VOICING TAB CAPTURE SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 26, 1964 FIGI z q 1 Mm FIGB FIG. 9

I/VVE/VTOR JACOB C. KIEFER $0M, Mime/5,

38. 1967 J. c. KIEFER 3,334,534

VOICING TAB CAPTURE SYSTEM Filed June 26, 1964 4 Shets-Sheet 2 JACOB C. KIEFER ATTORNEYS Aug. 8, 1967 K|EFER 3,334,534

VOICING TAB CAPTURE SYSTEM Filed June 26, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l/VVEZVTUR JACOB C. KIEFER ZMMZZ, p

ATTOR/V Y5 8, 1967 J. c. KIEFER 3,334,534

VOICING TAB CAPTURE SYSTEM Filed June 26, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 //Vl E/V70/? JACOB C. KIEFER United States Patent 3,334,534 VGICING TAB CAPTURE SYSTEM Jacob C. Kiefer, Chicago, 111., assignor to Seeburg (Yorporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 26, 1964, Ser. No. 378,297 4 Claims. (Cl. 84-843) This invention relates to electrical musical instruments such as electronic organs having a plurality of independently operable voicing tabs and more particularly to a capture mechanism which permits an organist to preset several different combinations of voicing tabs.

In electrical instruments of the aforementioned type, the fundamental electrical wave being produced by a tone generator can be modified to give it a desired harmonic content. When subsequently fed through an audio amplifier and speaker, the sound produced by the modified wave is known as the voice of the organ. The voice can be made to sound like any other musical instrument by utilizing electronic wave shaping circuits which will modify the fundamental tone generator signal to produce the proper wave shape. These wave shaping circuits are usually operated by manipulating voicing tabs positioned at one side of the keyboard within reach of the organist.

When playing the instrument, it is frequently necessary to depress one or more of the voicing tabs in certain combinations and to return to the same combinations at subsequent points during the performance of a particular musical selection. An object of the present invention is to avoid the difficulties involved in individually resetting each voicing tab when subsequently returning to a previously utilized combination. This is accomplished by providing a capture mechanism Which may be preset to produce separate Voicing tab combinations. The organist operates the capture mechanism by simply depressing one of several capture buttons in order to simultaneously adjust all of the voicing tabs to one of the preset combinations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a voicing tab capture mechanism capable of being preset to accommodate a wide range of voicing tab combinations.

A further object of the present invention is to provide the organist with a means for quickly and efiiciently changing the voicing tab settings from one preselected combination to another during the performance of a musical selection. This is accomplished by providing one capture button for each preset combination which when depressed, will cancel the current voicing tab settings and simultaneously adjust each individual voicing tab to the newly selected preset combination.

Another object of the present invention is to provide novel means for presetting the capture mechanism to accommodate the particular voicing tab combinations which will be repeatedly utilized by the organist when subsequently playing a musical composition.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide the organist with means responsive to the operation of a single cancel button for simultaneously adjusting all voicing tabs to the off position.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the apparatus removed from its operative position within the organ cabinet in order to better illustrate certain structural details;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus taken along line 22 of FIG. 6 with portions of the preset arms broken away to better illustrate details of the capture operating assembly;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 taken along line 33 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 taken along line 44 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 5 is a sectional along line 5-5 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 6 is a somewhat diagrammatic sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the apparatus similar to FIGS. 2-5 showing the cancel mechanism which allows the organist to simultaneously adjust all of the voicing tabs to the off position;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of a typical tab actuating rocker plate in a cancel position with the preset arm in a lowered position;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the preset arm in its raised position and the tab actuating rocker plate adjusted to the selection position.

Referring initially to FIG. 1 wherein is best illustrated general feature of the invention, a voicing tab capture mechanism generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 is shown comprised basically of a fiat rectangular bottom member 12 bent upwardly as at 14 and 16 to provide a rear wall member 18 and a front flange 20. Bottom member 12 may be of any length and in the preferred embodiment is somewhat evenly divided by a se' ries of intermediate partitions 22 which for convenience of reference will hereinafter be individually identified by the reference numerals 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d. The intermediate partitions extend transversely between rear wall 18 and front flange 20 and support a plurality of substantially parallel shafts which overlie almost the entire length of bottom member 12. a

A more detailed description of the aforementioned shafts will now be provided by viewing FIG. 1 in combination with FIGURES 2-7. Beginning at the forward edge of the device and proceeding toward the rear (from view similar to FIG. 2 taken pendently operable for pivotal movement about shaft 24 position to a depressed on position and are connectedto switches which control the operation tion.

Proceeding now to the area adjacent the rear end of the mechanism, a second shaft 30 extends between in termediate partitions 22 in a manner similar to the voicferred to by the reference numeral 32. As can be best seen in FIG. 6, a group of four preset arms is located beneath each voicing tab, with the arm being individually shown in FIG. 6, four preset arms 32 underlie each voice tab 26. Although the importance of this relationship will be better understood as the description proceeds, it is to be noted at this point that the use of four preset combinations is intended only as an illustration and not in any way as a limitation upon the ultimate number of combinations capable of being made available with a capture mechanism of the type being described.

Four additional cam supporting shafts 36, 38, 40 and 42 underlie the preset arms 32 and extend transversely thereto through the intermediate partitions 22 in substantial parallel relationship to both shafts 24 and 30. Cam supporting shafts 36, 38, 40 and 42 are suitably journaled for rotation relative to the intermediate partitions 22 and are each provided with a plurality of cam members conveniently numbered 36a, 38a, 40a and 42a, to indicate their relationship to the cam supporting shafts. The cam members are fixed to intermediate square sections of their respective shafts for rotation therewith, with the cam members of each cam shaft suitably spaced to lie directly beneath preset arms 32 which in turn are positioned beneath each of the voicing tabs 26. For example, as previously mentioned in connection with FIG. 6, each voicing tab 26 is provided with four underlying preset arms individually numbered 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d. The cam shafts 36, 38, 40 and 42 are also each provided with a plurality of cams equal to the number of voicing tabs and numbered 36a, 38a, 40a and 42a. Cams 36a are located beneath the preset arms 32a of each voicing tab. Similarly, cams 38a are beneath arms 32b, cams 40a beneath arms 32c and cams 42a beneath arms 32d. Thus it can be seen that by rotating one of the cam supporting shafts, as for example shaft 36, cams 36a will be correspondingly rotated and brought into engagement with the lower edges of their associated overlying preset arms 32a. This in turn will result in all of the preset arms 32a being simultaneously pivoted upwardly about shaft 30. In a similar manner, preset arms 32b, 320 or 32d would be raised by clockwise rotation of either cam supporting shaft 38, 40 or 42.

As can be best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, all of the preset arms 32 are further provided adjacent the ends remote from their pivotal attachment to shaft 30 with tab actuating rocker plates 44 which are pivotally attached thereto as at 46. Two detents 48 and 50 are stamped into each rocker plate 44 for cooperative engagement with suitably located depressions in the preset arm to which the rocker plate is attached. The detents locate the rocker plate in its pivotal movement in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction between a cancel position and a selection position. More particularly, a selection position is achieved by adjusting a particular rocker plate in a counterclockwise direction until detent 48 is seated within a mating depression in the preset arm 32. This condition is illustrated in FIG. 9. By the same token, as illustrated in FIG. 8, clockwise rotation of the same rocker plate to disengage detent 48 and engage detent 50- within a second mating depression in the preset arm will result in the rocker plate being placed in cancel position. Each rocker plate 44 is additionally provided along its upper edge with at least two contact surfaces 52 and 54 designed to engage one of two transverse ribs 56 and 58 on the underside of the voicing tabs 26.

Further reference will now be made to FIGS. 8 and 9 in describing the function of a typical tab actuating rocker plate 44. In FIG. 8 a typical preset arm 32 is shown in a depressed position seated within an aligned slot 33 in arm supporting plate 34. At this point, rocker plate 44 has been adjusted in a clockwise direction to the cancel position with detent 48 seated within its associated depression in arm 32. A cam shaft, as for example shaft 36, is then rotated in a clockwise direction, causing cam 36a to rotate correspondingly and raise preset arm 32 until contact surface 52 engages rib 56 on voicing tab 26. It should be noted at this point that the torque required to disengage the rocker plate detents 48 and 50 is considerably greater than the torque applied to rocker plate 44 in order to rotate a particular voicing tab 26 about shaft 24. Consequently, if the voicing tab 26 was previously depressed to an on position (as shown in FIG. 9), upward movement of present arm 32 will result in the voicing tab being pivoted in a clockwise direction until engaged by a fixed stop member 60 which is positioned to seat itself within groove 62. At this point the voicing tab is in the off position with handle 28 raised to indicate this condition to the organist. Of course, if the voicing tab has previously been adjusted to the off position, it would not be affected by the upward pivotal movement of the preset arm with its rocker plate 44 in the cancel position.

When presetting voicing tab 26, the organist simply depresses its handle 28 with the preset arm raised, causing the voicing tab to rotate about shaft 24 in a counterclockwise direction. By forcing rib 56 downwardly against contact surface 52, rocker plate 44 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction relative to lever 32. This in turn causes disengagement of detent 48 and subsequent engagement of detent 50 as the rocker plate 44 is preset to the selection position. Once this has been accomplished, cam supporting shaft 36 is rotated in an opposite direction to disengage cam 36a from the lower edge of preset arm 32, thereby allowing preset arm to return to its depressed position seated within an aligned slot in arm supporting plate 34. With the rocker plate 44 in this selection position, any subsequent operation of shaft 36 to raise preset arm 32 will result in voicing tab 26 being depressed to the on position as contact surface 54 again engages rib 58.

The capture operating means utilized in individually rotating the cam supporting shafts 36, 38, 40 and 42 will now be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a capture operating panel 62 is supported at one side of the voicing tabs by several of the intermediate partitions 22 and is provided with a series of apertures (totaling four in the present disclosure) through which capture buttons A, B, C and D slidably extend. As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the capture buttons extend through panel 62 and are provided on the other side with elongated body portions 64 having attached hereto depending curved arm 66a, 66b, 66c and 66d. The upper ends of cam shaft operating links 7 0' are pivotally attached as at 68 to the lower ends of arms 66. The lower ends of links 70 are in turn fixed to either cam shaft 36, 38, 40 or 42 for rotation therewith. For convenience of reference, the various combinations of curved arms 66 and cam shaft operating links 70 will hereinafter be referred to as linkage assemblies 71a, 71b, 71c and 71d.

Thus it can be seen that by depressing a particular capture button, as for example capture button B shown in FIG. 2, the linkage assembly 7lb will be moved downwardly to a lowered position as indicated by the dotted representation 71b. This in turn will cause cam shaft 36 to rotate in a clockwise direction, thereby imparting a corresponding rotation to the cam members 36a mounted thereon.

Coiled springs 72 which extend between panel 62 and lateral extensions 74 of each capture button, are expanded when the buttons are pressed. When released, the buttons are therefore immediately returned to their original positions by the tensions developed in springs 72 this reverse movement in turn causing a counterclockwise rotation of the cam shafts to which they are connected by means of the intermediate linkage assemblies 71. Although a preferred mechanical embodiment of the means utilized in rotating the cam shafts has been described comprising capture buttons A, B, C and D and linkage assemblies 71, it should be apparent that other mechanical as well as electrical and electromechanical means may be substituted for the means described without departing from the scope of the invention.

With the aforementioned comments in mind, operation of the apparatus will now be viewed with particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 7. Before proceeding, however, it should be understood that the capture mechanism as disclosed in FIG. 1 is substantially enclosed within the organ casing with only the handles 28 of the voicing tabs 26 and the capture buttons A, B, C and D protruding outwardly therefrom. Both the caputre buttons and voicing tabs will be conveniently positioned within reach of the organist on one side of the keyboard. The number of voicing tabs and capture buttons may of course be varied over a Wide range but as previously mentioned, for purposes of discussion, only four voicing tabs and four capture b'nttons will be utilized in the folowing description of the operational sequence.

Before beginning to play a particular musical selection on an organ provided with a caputre mechanism according to the present invention, the organist will first determine which voicing tab combinations are required. Assume, for example that the piece to be played will require adjustment of the voicing tabs in the folowing on-ofi combinations:

Combination designation Voicing Tabs 011 Voicing Tabs oft 26a, 26b, 26d. 260. 26a, 26c 26b, 26d. 26b, 26c, 26d. 26a.

6 26d 26c, 26d.

The combinations capable of being preset may, of course be varied over a wide range, but the above-listed selections will suffice for illustrative purposes.

Preset combination A To preset combination A, the organist will first depress capture button A which is located on the left hand side of panel 62. As shown in FIG. 5, which is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, selector button A is provided with a depending linkage assembly 71a. Linkage assembly 71a is operable to rotate cam shaft 42 which has mounted thereon four cam members 42a. Each cam member 420 is positioned to engage an overyling preset arm 3202 which is in turn positioned beneath each ,voicing tab 26. Consequently, it can be seen that by depressing button A, the preset arm 32d below each voicing tab is raised to a point as indicated in FIG. 9. As previously mentioned, each preset arm 32 is additionally provided with a tab actuating rocker plate 44 operable to rotate between cancel and selection positions as limited by detents 48 and 50.

With capture button A depressed, the organist then depresses the handles 28 of voicing tabs 26a, 26b and 26d to the on position and at the same time, raises tab 26c to the off position. This results in the tab actuating rocker plates 44 on each of the preset arms 32d beneath the on keys being adjusted to the selection positions as previously described. Since voicing tab 260 is now off, the tab actuating rocker plate 44 on the underlying lever 32d will be placed in the cancel position. Selector button A is then released and returned to its original position by the tension developed in spring member 72. When this occurs, shaft 42 and cams 42a are rotated in a counterclockwise direction, thereby lowering preset arms 32d to the inoperative position as shown in FIG. 1. Thereafter the voicing tabs may be individually manipulated without disturbing the setting of capture button A since ribs 56 and 58 will not engage the contacting surfaces 52 and 54 of the tab actuating rocker plates unless the preset arms 32d are again raised. However, regardless of the particular setting of the voicing tabs 26, should selector button A now be depressed, each preset arm 32d will simultaneously be raised and because of the particular settings of tab actuating rocker plates 44 attached thereto, the voicing tabs will simultaneously assume the positions designated as combination A, i.e., tabs 26a, 26b, and 26d will be placed in the on position while tab 260 is placed in the off position.

Preset combination B depresses voicing tabs 26a and 26c to the on position while insuring that voicing tabs 26b and 26d the off position. This having been done, the capture button B is released and the cam shaft 36 and associated cams 36a allowed to rotate in a counterclockwise direction to their original position under the influence of return spring 72.

are raised to Preset combination C When presetting combination C, the organist depresses capture button C (see FIG. 3) to rotate cam shaft 38 and the cams 38a associated therewith. This in turn results in the preset arms 32b being raised to place the tab actuating rocker plates 44 attached thereto in contact to the voicing tabs. Thereafter, the operator again maintains pressure on capture button C while depressing voicing tabs 26b, 26c, and 26d and raising voicing tab 26a. Once this has been accomplished, the capture button C is released and the preset arms 32b returned to their original position.

Preset combination D When presetting combination D, the operator follows the aforementioned sequence of operation in depressing capture button D (see FIG. 4). This causes rotation of cam shaft 40 and the cams 40a associated therewith. By so doing, preset arms 32c are raised to the position as indicated in FIG. 8. With the preset arms so positioned, the organist then depresses voicing tabs 26a and 26d while insuring that voicing tabs 26b and 260 are in the off position. The capture button D is then released to complete the presetting operation.

In view of the above, it can now be seen that the organist has preset four different combinations into the capture mechanism. While the musical selection is subsequently being played, any of the aforementioned combinations can be quickly selected by simply depressing one of the capture buttons. When this is done, the current setting of the voicing tabs is immediately replaced by the preset combination being utilized. In this manner, the organist can switch from one preset combination to another by simply depressing diiferent capture buttons.

Cancel mechanism Referring now to FIG. 7, a cancel mechanism is shown comprising a cancel button E slida'bly extending through panel 62 and having a depending arm 76 extending transversely therefrom on the other side of the panel. To this extent, cancel button E is similar to the capture buttons A, B, C and D. A second link member 78 is then pivotally connected to arm 76 as at 80, the upper end of link member 78 in turn being fixed to a rotatable cancel shaft 82 extending transversely across the apparatus through the intermediate partitions 22. A plurality of cancel arms 84, one for each voicing tab 26, are attached to cancel shaft 82 with their ends overlying flat shoulder portions 86 on each voicing tab 26. With this arrangement, should a voicing tab be adjusted to the on position as shown in FIG. 7, operation of cancel button B will result in the following sequence of operation: depending arm 76 will be moved downwardly at an angle to a position indicated in dotted representation as at 76'. When this occurs, the second link member 78 and cancel shaft 82 will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction.

as r This in turn will result in all of the cancel arms 84 being depressed to engage the shoulder portions 86 of each Voicing tab 26. When the shoulder portions 86 are engaged and pushed downwardly by the cancel arms 84, the voicing tabs will be pivoted in a clockwise direction about shaft 24 to the off position.

It can therefore be seen that by utilizing a capture mechanism of the type described, the performance of a musical selection requiring repeated use of certain voicing tab combinations is considerably simplified. The organist need only depress one of several capture buttons to simultaneously adjust all of the voicing tabs. Still further, by depressing a single cancel button, all voicing tabs may simultaneously be adjusted to the o position.

It is my intention to cover all changes and modifications of the embodiment herein chosen for purposes of disclosed which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. For use with a musical instrument having a plurality of independently operable voicing tabs, a capture mechanism capable of being preset to subsequently produce various voicing tab combinations, said mechanism comprising a plurality of arm members pivotally connected for movement about a common axis, tab actuating members pivotally mounted on each said arm member for adjustment between selection and cancel positions, means for simultaneously pivoting said arm members about said axis in order to place said tab actuating members in oper- .ative positions cont-acting said voicing tabs, means for presetting some of said operatively positioned tab actuating means to the selection position by manipulating the voicing tabs in contact therewith to the on position, the remainder of said operatively positioned tab actuating means being reset to the cancel position by manipulation of the voicing tabs in contact therewith to the otf position, whereby subsequent operative positioning of said arm members will result in said voicing tabs being returned to on and off positions governed by the settings of said tab actuating members.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by a master cancel means for simultaneously adjusting each of said voicing tabs to the off position.

3. For use with a musical instrument having a plurality of independently operable voicing tabs, a capture mechanism capable of being preset to subsequently produce any one of several voicing tab combinations comprising: tab actuating means associated with each said voicing tab, the number of said tab actuating means adjacent each voicing tab being at least equal to the maximum number of desired voicing tab combinations; means for simultaneously moving one tab actuating means adjacent each said voicing tabs from a remote inoperative position to an operative position contacting the said adjacent voicing tab; and, means for presetting said operatively positioned tab actuating means by individually adjusting each said voicing tabs in accordance with a particular voicing tab combination, whereby subsequent operative positioning of the so-adjusted tab actuating means will result in said voicing tabs being simultaneously adjusted to the said particular voicing tab combination.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein each said tab actuating means is comprised of an elongated pivotal arm member having mounted thereon a tab contacting member, said tab contacting member being pivotally adjustable relative to said arm member between a selection position and a cancel position in order to impart corresponding on and off adjustments to an adjacent voicing tab when placed in contact therewith.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,612,810 10/1952 Kent 84345 3,103,141 9/1963 Adams 84343 3,103,847 9/1963 Raymond 84346 3,124,992. 3/1964 McClure 84--345 3,200,186 8/1965 Anderson et al. 84345 RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner.

M. L. LORCH, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,334,534 August 8, 1967 Jacob C. Kiefer ror appears in the above numbered pat- It is hereby certified that er the said Letters Patent should read as ent requiring correction and that corrected below.

line 18, for "feature" read features same column 2, line 72 and column 4, line 5, for "present", each occurrence, read preset column 7, line 18, for

"disclose" read disclosure line 36, for "reset" read preset Signed and sealed this 23rd day of July 1968.

Column 2,

(SEAIJ 1\Itest:

EDVDURD L BBIEHYER Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

1. FOR USE WITH A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING A PLURALITY OF INDEPENDENTLY OPERABLE VOICING TABS, A CAPTURE MECHANISM CAPABLE OF BEING PRESET TO SUBSEQUENTLY PRODUCE VARIOUS VOICING TAB COMBINATIONS, SAID MECHANISM COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ARM MEMBERS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED FOR MOVEMENT ABOUT A COMMON AXIS, TAB ACTUATING MEMBERS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON EACH SAID ARM MEMBER FOR ADJUSTMENT BETWEEN SELECTION AND CANCEL POSITIONS, MEANS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY PIVOTING SAID ARM MEMBERS ABOUT SAID AXIS IN ORDER TO PLACE SAID TAB ACTUATING MEMBERS IN OPERATIVE POSITIONS CONTACTING SAID VOICING TABS, MEANS FOR PRESETTING SOME OF SAID OPERATIVELY POSITIONED TAB ACTUATING MEANS TO THE SELECTION POSITION BY MANIPULATING THE VOICING TABS IN CONTACT THEREWITH TO THE "ON" POSITION, THE REMAINDER OF SAID OPERATIVELY POSITIONED TAB ACTUATING MEANS BEING RESET TO THE CANCAL POSITION BY MANIPULATION OF THE VOICING TABS IN CONTACT THEREWITH TO THE "OFF" POSITION, WHEREBY SUBSEQUENT OPERATIVE POSITIONING OF SAID ARM MEMBERS WILL RESULT IN SAID VOICING TABS BEING RETURNED TO "ON" AND "OFF" POSITIONS GOVERNED BY THE SETTINGS OF SAID TAB ACTUATING MEMBERS. 